The four remaining teams in the 2013 NBA Playoffs are not who I selected at the beginning of the year. In fact, of the four remaining teams, I think I only chose one-The Miami Heat. Memphis, San Antonio and Indiana are all dark horse selections. The star power between the remaining teams is relatively low. Last year, when Miami faced OKC, the star power was really high. Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Durant, Westbrook and Harden. This year, Z-Bo, Gasol,Paul George, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and the Miami Heat trio remain.
I spoke with one of my good friends the other day and he believes that "the powers-that-be" will dictate the teams advancing to the NBA Finals. I agree with his assessment. If Indiana plays Memphis in the NBA Finals, I think the ratings would be the lowest in quite some time. Both teams play a brand of basketball that is not appealing. Both teams hang their hats on defense and do not score a lot of points. Neither team is known for highlight plays by superstars either. Zach Randolph might score 20 points, but you can be sure he won't make one amazing athletic play. The teams are just boring and I would not be excited to watch either team play.
Now, the more likely and more profitable matchup would pit Miami against San Antonio. There are quite a few story lines that would make that matchup worth watching. It would mark the second time that two hall of famers, Duncan and Lebron, meet in the NBA Finals. It would pit one storied franchise with a historic "big three" against an up-and-coming "big three." It would also symbolize San Antonio's likely last hurrah with their current core of Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. Let's face it, but for injuries to Westbrook and Kobe, the Spurs probably would not be in their current position. Next year, these players, along with other upstart teams and players, will make the Western Conference even more competitive.
Some may say that David Stern does not possess the power to dictate the teams in the NBA Finals. I would caution against that kind of thinking. David Stern is powerful. I believe he orchestrated the NBA Draft Lottery in 2003, which allowed Cleveland to draft Lebron James, who just happened to be from nearby Akron, Ohio. Make no mistake, David Stern has been an ambassador for the NBA and has made many moves in his efforts to grow the brand of the NBA. Having a NBA Finals that features the Grizzlies and Pacers simply would not advance his objectives. Therefore, David Stern won't allow it to happen.
Peace
Yes, it will not be profitable to have a "Memphis vs. Indiana" matchup in the finals but that isn't a conspiracy if it happened. Both teams are quality....
ReplyDeleteIt is more realistic that Miami would face San Antonio because...they are the better teams (have the better records, have more experience and are pretty much the teams most people expect in the finals in their respective conferences anyways).
There was no conspiracy when the Nets played San Antonio in 2003 or when San Antonio played Detroit in 2005....Where was all the fuss then?
If Miami wins (and they should because, they are the best team period), it is because they have the best team. The Sac Kings just were valued at $550 million. The SACREMENTO Kings!!! David Stern does not care if the Finals are between 2 small markets because:
1) NBA is marketed by stars so any chance a new star may emerge will boost the NBA in a new market
2) NBA's main profits are already contracted for in their TV deal.
NO conspiracy here. Sorry.
Conspiracy theories are just that, "theories." There are many theories that exist as to unexplained occurrences. If they could be explained with certainty, they would not be theories.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is more realistic that Miami faces San Antonio in the Finals. I think they are the best remaining teams in the playoffs.
I think David Stern does care that bigger teams are in the NBA despite what he may say to the media. Big market teams with big time stars generate great revenue domestically and internationally. Also, the more face time super star players receive, the more the game grows internationally. I believe that David Stern, and to a large extent, Adam Silver, hope to grow the NBA to the world outside of the U.S. There are all kinds of untapped international markets for the NBA, and you need super star athletes to make that a reality.
So, just because you cannot prove that their is not a conspiracy, does not mean that one does not exist.